Latest news with #AllyPally
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen Bunting conqueror stuns the world in legendary New York arena now he craves the Mecca of Darts
American hero Jason Brandon shattered Stephen Bunting and is chasing down a dream date at the Ally Pally. The 50-year-old produced the biggest performance of his career to batter The Bullet in the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Gardens in front of a joyous New York crowd. Advertisement Brandon won 6-4 over Bunting with the Tennessee slinger earning redemption for his loss to Rob Cross on the stage two years ago. But, as well as success in the States, he also has eyes on another iconic venue in London and a place alongside the likes of defending champion Luke Littler in this year's expanded Paddy Power World Championship. READ MORE: Excited Damon Heta fancied running into crowd on insane New York debut READ MORE: Open legends extending their 25-year scrap into another Major battle June 27, 2025; New York, NY; Luke Litter vs Jules van Dongen during the first round of the 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. Mandatory Credit: Matt Heasley/PDC PDC expansions of the event have opened more doors for the likes of Brandon with five places available to US-based stars for Ally Pally. Advertisement Brandon also has a shot of making the Lakeside World Championship, but has no hesitation in nominating which English Capital venue he'd like to be heading at Christmas as he said: 'It's bad to say, but I 100 per cent have to pick Ally Pally. It's just that's since I started and I found out about all this stuff, that's been a dream of mine to play. Obviously, Lakeside is awesome and I would love to get back there and have another chance. But if I was to qualify for Ally Pally, I would absolutely have to take that spot. 'We have all kinds of opportunities now and with the additional spots since they've expanded the PDC, those other spots now that's available to get, there's other avenues, not just open for one or two positions. We've got like five spots we can get now. That's awesome. I hope it gets more from there. I hope it expands even further, but we'll see how it goes. 'I'm hoping I don't mess myself up out of any of the spots. I tried to do that a few years ago, tried to play both and try to keep my options open to play CDC and WDF. Hopefully I have a shot at PDC and I messed myself up out of both of them. Right now I'm still in a good spot for Lakeside. I still can make the CDC stuff and we'll see how it goes.' Brandon is thrilled to have the New York opportunity and said: 'I've got to admit, I really wasn't expecting to make it back this year. I only had the one chance left in the qualifier and I played the best starts I played all day. I was fortunate enough to get through the qualifier to make it back up here. Advertisement 'It's unreal that darts is the way is coming up here now in the US. To be able to play at such an iconic stage, it's amazing. It's great. It's awesome.' June 27, 2025; New York, NY; Damon Heta vs Jim Long during the first round of the 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. Mandatory Credit: Matt Heasley/PDC He displayed his talents with the Bunting success which has earned a last-eight crack at Damon Heta and said: 'That's my biggest win. I'm struggling to find the words. My goal was to come up here and get a little bit of redemption for two years ago. I don't know how I held it together but I was able to focus. I'm feeling way better about my darts now than I was coming into the event. I'm ready for Saturday.'
Wales Online
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Phil Taylor makes 'fish out of water' admission as he takes up new role after darts
Phil Taylor makes 'fish out of water' admission as he takes up new role after darts Phil Taylor retired from professional darts in May of this year, and the 16-time world champion has now opened up on his transition into presenting as he prepares to pick up the mic once again Darts hero Phil Taylor has opened up about his newfound role as a presenter (Image: WireImage for Pluto TV ) Darts legend Phil Taylor has confessed that he feels like a 'fish out of water' in his newfound role as a presenter. The Power, revered as the best player to ever to throw a piece of tungsten and holder of an astonishing 87 major PDC titles, retired from professional darts this May. Known for his unmatched record at both the Ally Pally, where he clinched 16 victories, and the World Matchplay, Taylor hung up his arrows professionally in 2018 at 57 and stuck to playing exhibitions. Four years on, he entered the World Seniors Darts Championship only to realise his prowess wasn't quite what it used to be, which led to his definitive retirement last month. Taylor has traded his trusted darts for presenting duties, candidly sharing his initial struggles with the transition ahead of the World Seniors Darts Champion of Champions event scheduled for Sunday, June 29. "I'm like a fish out of water at the minute, so I'm still learning," admitted Taylor during the build-up to the World Seniors Darts Bet Goodwin Champion of Champions, broadcast live and free on Pluto TV. "I've got to take my hat off to these commentators. "If it were a football match, I wouldn't have a clue who's passing the ball or playing for which team! I wouldn't even know who's on whose side. It's remarkable what they do. Article continues below "Every time I present, I'm learning. I will get used to it, but it's like an apprenticeship, I think. So you've got to do your apprenticeship and learn your job. I'll keep pushing forward and learn. But I am enjoying it. Taylor waved the oche goodbye in May (Image: PA ) "There's no pressure, obviously. I haven't got to get up and start practising and make sure I'm getting ready for nighttime and all that kind of thing, so I can just relax and enjoy it." Taylor made a brief appearance on the World Seniors Tour before deciding to retire from competitive darts last month, acknowledging he didn't want to let down fans with subpar performances, reports the Mirror. "I was really, really looking forward to it. Loved the idea of the Seniors Darts. Enjoyed playing in it. But I couldn't perform like Phil Taylor could perform," he confessed. "So it broke my heart a little bit. "My body had changed. I mean, I'm 65 this year. So I was in my 60s. It got harder and harder for me, and I couldn't perform. And people were paying money to come and see me. It broke my heart not to perform like I can. And I thought, 'I can't do this anymore. This is not right. If I do something, I have to do it properly.' I'm a bit of a perfectionist. Article continues below "People were paying good money to come and see me. Getting taxis, paying prices for whatever they charge for beers and food and this, that and the other. And I can't give them a show. So, no. I'd had my time. It was time to walk away then. "I haven't even got a set of darts now. Or a dartboard," Taylor went on. "I've got a dartboard in the back room. But it's still in the box. I was so dedicated and everything. But I can't do it now. "So, I do other things. I see my grandkids a lot more. And the best thing in the world is staying and sleeping in your own bed. Which I'd not done for 30 years and I love it."
Daily Record
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stephen Bunting conqueror stuns the world in legendary New York arena now he craves the Mecca of Darts
Qualifier wants to go from one iconic stage in New York to another in London American hero Jason Brandon shattered Stephen Bunting and is chasing down a dream date at the Ally Pally. The 50-year-old produced the biggest performance of his career to batter The Bullet in the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Gardens in front of a joyous New York crowd. Brandon won 6-4 over Bunting with the Tennessee slinger earning redemption for his loss to Rob Cross on the stage two years ago. But, as well as success in the States, he also has eyes on another iconic venue in London and a place alongside the likes of defending champion Luke Littler in this year's expanded Paddy Power World Championship. PDC expansions of the event have opened more doors for the likes of Brandon with five places available to US-based stars for Ally Pally. Brandon also has a shot of making the Lakeside World Championship, but has no hesitation in nominating which English Capital venue he'd like to be heading at Christmas as he said: 'It's bad to say, but I 100 per cent have to pick Ally Pally. It's just that's since I started and I found out about all this stuff, that's been a dream of mine to play. Obviously, Lakeside is awesome and I would love to get back there and have another chance. But if I was to qualify for Ally Pally, I would absolutely have to take that spot. 'We have all kinds of opportunities now and with the additional spots since they've expanded the PDC, those other spots now that's available to get, there's other avenues, not just open for one or two positions. We've got like five spots we can get now. That's awesome. I hope it gets more from there. I hope it expands even further, but we'll see how it goes. 'I'm hoping I don't mess myself up out of any of the spots. I tried to do that a few years ago, tried to play both and try to keep my options open to play CDC and WDF. Hopefully I have a shot at PDC and I messed myself up out of both of them. Right now I'm still in a good spot for Lakeside. I still can make the CDC stuff and we'll see how it goes.' Brandon is thrilled to have the New York opportunity and said: 'I've got to admit, I really wasn't expecting to make it back this year. I only had the one chance left in the qualifier and I played the best starts I played all day. I was fortunate enough to get through the qualifier to make it back up here. 'It's unreal that darts is the way is coming up here now in the US. To be able to play at such an iconic stage, it's amazing. It's great. It's awesome.' He displayed his talents with the Bunting success which has earned a last-eight crack at Damon Heta and said: 'That's my biggest win. I'm struggling to find the words. My goal was to come up here and get a little bit of redemption for two years ago. I don't know how I held it together but I was able to focus. I'm feeling way better about my darts now than I was coming into the event. I'm ready for Saturday.'
Evening Standard
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Lauren Laverne's guide to London: Alexandra Palace, Dean St Townhouse parties and her favourite bakery
Sign up for the best picks from our travel, fashion and lifestyle writers. Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice. Lauren Laverne, the iconic 6 Music radio DJ, gives The Standard her rundown of what's hot and what's not around London, as she heads to Glastonbury. Home is … Muswell Hill. I moved to London when I was a teenager and have lived all over, but I've been in this neighbourhood almost 20 years now and I love it. The view from the terrace of Ally Pally is one of the most beautiful in London. Where was your first flat in London? I was in a band and we moved down to sign a record deal when I was 18. We got a place just off St Paul's Road in Camden which was within tottering distance of some great clubs. I had no idea, but my future husband was living round the corner on Camden Square. Camden was much more rough and ready back then. What was your first job in the city? A musician. I was supposed to be at university doing medieval studies but life intervened. Where would you recommend for a first date? I'm a huge fan of the V&A so I'd probably say to head down to their new museum in Olympic Park. The perfect place to while away an afternoon getting to know each other. Justine Simons who has seen her vision of the East Bank in the Olympic Park, Stratford become a reality Matt Writtle Which shops do you rely on? Liberty — if it's good enough for Emma Stone's Cruella it's good enough for me. Space NK in Covent Garden, where I could happily spend the whole day just smelling things. Foyles bookshop — same as Space NK but the smell is books. Audio Gold in Crouch End is my local record shop and sound system experts. The loveliest people and so knowledgeable. Dunns Bakery in Muswell Hill is an institution. Get the rosemary sourdough with salted crust, toast and butter it and watch your life change. What's the best meal you've had? My 40th birthday dinner at Dean Street Townhouse. I love it in there, especially in the winter when they have a fire blazing in that twinkly Georgian dining room. Dean St Townhouse Soho House What would you do if you were Mayor for the day? I'd reopen Bagley's in King's Cross for a gigantic rave. Who is the most iconic Londoner? Dickens. He knew every side of the city and the way he articulated its energy and people has become part of our collective memory. What's the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you? We always end up talking about music! I had one who has a successful sideline as a house DJ and had just bought a record label. We had a good time chatting a load of Balearics … Where do you let your hair down? A gig at Ally Pally or a night at Alexandra Palace Theatre. You can see anything from Iggy Pop or The Chemical Brothers tearing the place apart in the main space to brilliant plays and stand-up. And I can walk home! The terrace at Alexandra Palace Who do you call when you want to have fun? My kids! They're teenagers and just so much fun. I'm off to the ballet tonight to see Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Royal Opera House with my youngest, and it's Pulp at the O2 for my eldest tomorrow. What's your biggest extravagance? Museum memberships and theatre tickets. What's your London secret? Going to the clock gallery in the British Museum at 10 to twelve on a weekday and just waiting for everything to go off … symphonic! What are you up to for work? Getting the nation to start its day dancing on my 6 Music show, talking about life and music with a fascinating castaway on Desert Island Discs, and chewing the fat and having fun with The One Show team each. I'm also about to head back to Glastonbury to bring the event into listeners and viewers' homes with the BBC. Lauren Laverne in the band Kenickie in the Nineties Stephen Sweet/REX Who is your hero? Annie Nightingale taught me how to be joyful while also changing things — she always made being a pioneer look like a party! And my mam, who was the wisest, cleverest, most encouraging person I have ever known. What do you collect? Books and records — and far too many. The London work of art which makes me happiest is the Peter Blake portrait of Sir Michael Eavis Favourite work of art in London? The one that makes me happiest is the Peter Blake portrait of Sir Michael Eavis that hangs in the new entrance to the National Portrait Gallery. Michael is a wonderful man and seeing him honoured for all he and his family have done warms my heart. What was the last thing you googled? 'Shepton Mallet two-week weather forecast.' As told to Vicky Jessop
Scottish Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler to star in different sport on ITV as darts sensation, 18, links up with Tony Bellew and Barry Hearn
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER is aiming to show there's just a fin margin between success and failure. Darts' world champ is joining fellow big names of sport like Tony Bellew, Steve Davis and Barry Hearn for an angling event to be shown on ITV4. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Luke Littler will hope to improve on his debut in last year's event Credit: Getty 3 Ex-boxer will also be competing in a 32-strong line-up But the Nuke, 18, came BOTTOM on his debut in the Target Sports Star Fishing Championship last year. That's despite the keen angler sharing a snap of a sizable catch he made at the competition in Warwickshire. The Warrington whizkid teamed up in 2024 with former Ally Pally kings Adrian Lewis and Rob Cross, plus Target Darts boss Garry Plummer. Now he'll be back at the Tunnel Barn Fishery on July 29 alongside ex-world cruiserweight boxing champ Bellew, snooker's six-time Crucible king Davis, promoter Hearn and a string of other stars - from both sides of the microphone. The 32-strong line-up also includes Lewis, Cross and James Wade from darts, as well as Derek Redmond, Gail Emms, George Groves, Johnny Fisher, Andy Goldstein, Hayley Turner and Gary Newbon. Littler hopes to show Big Fish has a more meaty meaning than just being his favourite checkout at the oche. And he also hopes to bounce back from England's World Cup embarrassment. The Nuke and Luke Humphries went into the pairs tournament as the world's top two players and the last two Ally Pally kings. 3 Luke Littler has impressed fans after taking up a new sport Credit: Instagram @lukethenukelittler BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But they began to flounder from the start and fans had plenty to carp about afterwards. Welshman Gerwyn Price, who suffered disappointment in the final against Northern Ireland, described the duo as "rubbish" and appeared to suggest they lacked "camaraderie". Gerwyn Price runs rule over Luke Littler and Luke Humphries' England's World Cup of Darts flop At least Littler won't be under the same type of pressure when he contests the angling competition, which raises five-figure sums for charity. Organisers have stressed their 13th annual event is "not open to the public". But a two-hour highlights package will be on ITV4 at a date to be confirmed.
